VRYHEID KZN: MEC’s intervention secures clean-up of Bhekuzulu township
The intervention of the MEC has compelled the municipality to move with haste to address the maintenance of the plant
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka, along with KZN Cogta officials and the Department of Environmental Affairs, paid a special visit to AbaQulusi Local Municipality on Thursday to conduct a clean-up campaign.
As part of the campaign, MEC Hlomuka visited service delivery sites that included the local sewerage plant and dumping site (as well as illegal dumping sites), which pose serious health hazards to residents.
His first stop was at the dumping site (landfill), where he was accompanied by local municipal officials. Mr Mkize, who is the administrator, explained in full length and depth how the landfill site operates.
Mkhize outlined the basic equipment needed for the landfill to operate smoothly in order to extend the life-span of the facility.
He went on to say that a normal dumpsite ‘lives’ for 20 years, so the more it is managed efficiently, the longer it runs, but if people dump without it being managed, it is likely to run out of space and that’s when it will have to move to another location.
He asked the MEC and his department to assist and intervene where they can in managing the landfill site at AbaQulusi.
The MEC then went to a local sewer plant in eBhekuzulu because of reports received by the department which indicated that the plant tends to flood nearby households and poses a health risk to the community.
This visit also follows complaints that were raised by the community when MEC Hlomuka was in the area two weeks ago.
The MEC expressed his concern at the deplorable conditions in which the people of Bhekuzulu are living, having to contend with sewage spilling into their homes as a result of the failure by the municipality to maintain the plant.
Hlomuka also called upon community members to ensure that they follow proper waste disposal guides and not throw things that do not belong into a sewerage system.
The intervention of the MEC has compelled the municipality to move with haste to address the maintenance of the plant. The MEC has vowed that his department will continue to keep a close eye on municipalities across the province to ensure that they deliver good services to communities.
“As a department, we want our municipalities to fulfil their duties. When residents complaint to us about service delivery, we are compelled to act and ensure that our municipalities deliver,” said Hlomuka.
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